During the Spring Term Year 9 chose Brainstrust as one of their year group charities because of a personal connection via alumnae (whose family kindly donated the Beanie Babies to the year group) and ran a very popular sale of Beanie Babies, with two further sales planned for the future (Hillfest and Christmas Bazaar). They raised over £690 and this morning we heard an inspiring talk from Damon Brown-Ashwin, a volunteer at Brainstrust on how the money raised has helped the charity.

Damon told his own story of how Brainstrust supported him when he had a brain tumour and how now he volunteers for the charity alongside 20 other people.

Brainstrust supports people living with a brain tumour as well as their loved ones. Supporting the charity means they can help people turn challenges into opportunities as they go through surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and active surveillance of the tumour. As well as providing valuable educational resources, the charity organises events for all ages on areas such as nutrition and yoga to help people feel better and stronger, and more connected with others and to help them live a more normal life. Damon also explained how he coaches with the charity, which also offers rapid access counselling and peer support to both patients and caregivers, which helps them feel better understood and supported.

Damon thanked everyone for their generosity of spirit, time and money, without which small charities like Brainstrust would not be able to offer the level of help and support that they currently do.